{{Short description|Self-service standalone kiosks}} [[Image:Best Buy Express.jpg|thumb|A Best Buy Express vending machine by Zoom Systems at an airport terminal, stocked with electronics]] [[File:Automated Retail Dispensing at Airports Electronics - The Source (cropped).JPG|thumb|An automated retail kiosk for The Source, dispensing electronics at an airport]]
'''Automated retail''' is a category of self-service, standalone kiosks that function as fully automated retail outlets. They rely on integrated software systems to perform many of the tasks traditionally handled by human staff, such as product selection, payment processing, and inventory tracking. These kiosks are typically situated in high-traffic locations such as airports, shopping malls, resorts, university campuses, and transit hubs, where convenience and accessibility are critical factors.<ref>[http://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/article/21514/The-Body-Shop-deploying-automated-retail-shops The Body Shop deploying automated retail shops] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815114447/http://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/article/21514/The-Body-Shop-deploying-automated-retail-shops|date=August 15, 2010}}. RetailCustomerExperience.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.</ref>
Consumers often browse and select products using a touchscreen interface that operates similar to an ecommerce website, pay for purchases using a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or contactless payment methods. Once the transaction is approved, products are dispensed through a system other than gravity fed drop systems, often via a robotic arm inside the kiosk.<ref>Alyssa, Bary. (2005-10-24) [https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1876717,00.asp Zoom Systems Offers iPod Vending Machines | News & Opinion]. PCMag.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.</ref>
These software integrations, the consumer experience and the delivery mechanisms are what differentiate automated retail stores from vending machines.
ZoomShops and Redbox were examples of companies that pursue an automated retail business model.<ref>[http://www.sj-r.com/features/x1598947943/Now-available-at-vending-machines-GPS-iPods-cameras Now available at vending machines: GPS, iPods, cameras ...] [https://web.archive.org/web/20110212162552/http://www.sj-r.com/features/x1598947943/Now-available-at-vending-machines-GPS-iPods-cameras Archived copy]. sj-r.com. July 24, 2010 </ref>
==See also== {{Wiktionary|retail}} *Automat *Automated convenience store *Automated restaurant *Automated teller machine (ATM) *Business process automation *Cashierless store *Self checkout *Types of retail outlets *Vending machine
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{Commonscatinline|Automated retail machines}} {{Retail}} Category:Retail processes and techniques Category:Self-service